The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will act to undermine American influence and credibility in the Pacific, the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, Hon Kausea Natano, warned today, 6 November 2019.

“In the Post-war period, America has often played a leadership role in supporting multilateralism and promoting a global rules-based system to enable collective responses to international problems. It is disappointing to see this ethos fade and falter when we need it the most.

“As stated in the Kainaki II Declaration made by Forum Leaders here in Tuvalu, the shared prosperity of our Blue Pacific continent can only safely exist if the international community pursues efforts to limit warming to 1.5°c, as set out in the Paris Agreement. The science is non-negotiable.

“Tuvalu is the frontline of the climate fight, and as a country we have contributed the least to global emissions, but we still do our part to implement Paris and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

“At a time when the Pacific finds itself the focus of much strategic competition, I urge those governments involved to listen to the voice of the Blue Pacific, respect our collective will and support our stewardship of this great Oceanic continent.

“Statements of friendship, expanded aid programmes and high-level visits must be better backed by domestic policies and action to reduce emissions, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, in order to avert a climate catastrophe.

“As we have said often, if we save Tuvalu, we save the world”, said Hon. Natano.